GQEBERHA – A rescued turtle living at Bayworld has inspired the environmental theme for this year’s South African National Quilt Festival, which will be hosted in Gqeberha in July.

The Dias Quilters’ Guild, one of the oldest quilting guilds in South Africa, will host the 23rd South African National Quilt Festival at Collegiate Girls’ High School from 7 to 11 July.

Festival Public Relations Officer, Sarene Carter, said this year’s theme, “Sew Awareness”, aims to encourage people to think more consciously about the environment through the reuse of fabrics that might otherwise be discarded.

“As quilters, we work with small pieces of fabric which we transform into something beautiful. With our ‘Sew Awareness’ theme, we want to send out a broader message about reducing waste.”

According to Carter, the theme also draws inspiration from Pepper, a rescued sea turtle living at Bayworld.

“The theme draws inspiration from a rescued sea turtle now living at Bayworld, highlighting the devastating impact of ocean pollution and encouraging more mindful, environmentally conscious consumer habits,” she said.

Ruth Wright from Turtle Rehab shared Pepper’s story with the PE Express.

“Pepper is a green turtle that was stranded on Kings Beach in 2016. She arrived missing her entire left front flipper and had a large crack in her shell with a semi-circular pattern. We believe the injury was caused by a shark bite,” said Wright.

At the time, Pepper weighed just 12.1kg.

“It took a year and a half of intensive rehabilitation, working together with Mount Croix Animal Hospital, for her wounds to heal,” Wright said.

Named after the green peppers she loves to eat, Pepper now weighs 50kg and is still only a teenager.

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During the five-day festival, national and international delegates, as well as day visitors, will have an opportunity to attend lectures and classes and view a range of quilt and textile art exhibitions.

Carter said organisers expect about 1,000 registered delegates and 2,500 day visitors to attend the event.

“With confirmed bookings from quilting groups in New Zealand, Australia, the United Kingdom, Kenya, Tasmania and India, we are expecting a fantastic festival,” she said.

The programme will include 104 workshops, demonstrations and one-hour classes, as well as lectures covering environmental awareness, textiles and quilting.

Visitors will also be able to view a world-class quilt exhibition featuring entries from around the globe.

“This exhibition is the highlight of the festival, attracting quilt entries from all over the world and showcasing the talents of award-winning quilters and teachers,” said Carter.

Four textile art exhibitions will also be on display, including exhibitions from Kenya and India.

In addition, visitors and delegates will be able to explore the Vendor Alley and Vendor Mall, where exhibitors will offer sewing machines, textiles, quilting supplies, notions, kits, wool and yarn.

• For more information, visit sewawareness2026.co.za, or follow Sew Awareness 2026 on Facebook and Instagram.

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